Hollywood star Keanu Reeves has pleaded with a federal judge to show leniency toward director Karl Reinsch, who was convicted in an $11 million Netflix fraud case. Wrench, who directed Reeves in 47 Ronin, faces sentencing on charges of misusing funds allocated for his unfinished sci-fi series White Horse. Reeves described Wrench as a visionary artist and friend.
Keanu Reeves has asked a federal judge to show leniency to director Karl Reinsch, who was convicted in a Netflix fraud case linked to his unfinished sci-fi series “White Horse.” Wrench, who directed Reeves in the 2013 film “47 Ronin,” faces sentencing after a federal jury in Manhattan found him guilty of defrauding Netflix of $11 million.
Reeves submitted a letter supporting Wrench before his June 29 sentencing hearing.
Keanu Reeves seeks leniency with Karl Reinsch
Deadline reported that Reeves urged the court to consider mercy while deciding Wrench’s punishment. Business Insider also reported that Reeves’ letter was included in a ruling request submitted to the director on Tuesday night.“I am, of course, not a therapist or psychiatrist,” Reeves wrote in his letter to U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff.
“I write instead as Karl’s artistic counterpart, and as a friend.”Reeves described Wrench as an artist whose work left an impression on him. “In my opinion, Carl is an exceptional artist and ‘The White Horse’, as I saw it, was a magnificent and visionary work of art, although unfinished,” he wrote.The actor also said that Wrench brought “creative inspiration” and “extraordinary joy and warmth” to the people around him.
Netflix scam case and White Horse movie details
Wrench was convicted after prosecutors said he received money from Netflix to produce White Horse but did not complete the project. They claimed he used the money for personal spending, including food deliveries, luxury goods and handmade Swedish bedding. Wrench denied any wrongdoing during the trial. He testified that Netflix abandoned the series after high production costs and problems related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also said that a large portion of the $11 million was to compensate him for production expenses.His lawyers asked the court to avoid a prison sentence. “Carl is deeply grateful to Mr. Reeves and to all the friends and family who have come forward to paint a fuller picture of his character beyond the facts of this case,” Daniel McGuinness, one of Wrench’s attorneys, told Business Insider.McGuinness said the letters describe Wrench as “a remarkably talented man of strong character who faced extraordinary challenges in the lead-up to these events.”Netflix also requested compensation and legal fees. Rensch is scheduled to be sentenced on June 29.Disclaimer: The information in this report is based on a legal hearing as reported by an external source. The details provided represent claims made by the parties involved and are not proven facts. The case is still ongoing, and no final ruling has been reached. The publication does not claim that these allegations are true.